The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on the 18th that the average price of rice sold at about 1,000 supermarkets nationwide during September 7-13 was 2,971 yen per 5 kilograms, down 32 yen from the previous week. The decline marked the fifth consecutive week of falling prices, and the price dropped below 3,000 yen for the first time in about two years, since early September 2024. The average price of branded rice, which accounts for 85 percent of sales volume, fell 35 yen to 2,988 yen. Blended rice also dropped 34 yen to 2,866 yen.
Average rice prices fell for a fifth straight week to below 3,000 yen, signaling ample supply and weakening prices for rice futures.
